It’s understandable that you want to use some space heaters in your RV during the winter. After all, it can get pretty cold depending on where you’re at during the winter months.

But be sure to practice safety measures when using a heater, especially propane heaters. Electric heaters are fairly simple to use safely: just keep them well away from anything flammable and don’t leave them unattended. For propane heaters, however, keep in mind the following:

Be Careful When Using Gas

It may sound counterintuitive, but it’s best to crack open a couple of your RV’s windows when using a gas-powered heater. If there’s a gas leak, your RV can quickly fill with carbon monoxide, which can be fatal at high, concentrated levels. If you begin to feel dizzy, light-headed, or nauseous, get some fresh air right away. To prevent the possibility of gas build up, just crack open a few windows. Your space heater will still do its job just fine even if there are some open windows.

Also consider installing a carbon monoxide detector in your RV. It’s a good idea to have one; just remember to regularly check if it’s still working.

Every time you use your propane heater, be sure to do a quick visual check of all cords, hoses, and connections. Do not use a faulty heater if you detect a problem.

Use Only As Needed

A gas heater is often the best way to get warm fast, but don’t over use it. Never leave it unattended or leave it on while your’e asleep. If you have other methods of staying warm, like putting on extra layers or using a warm blanket, do that instead. It saves on gas and reduces the risk of your gas heater causing an issue.

Keep Your Heater from Getting Under Foot

Place your gas heater in out of the way spots where foot traffic is unlikely. The last thing you want to do is tip it over. Keep it away from flammable materials when placing your heater, such as curtains or sheets. To make it even safer, purchase a gas heater that’s designed for indoor use and that has a tip-over safety switch that turns the unit off if you knock it over accidentally.

Visit Capital RV Center

If you’re in the market for your first RV or are considering upgrading your current RV, stop by our showroom at Capital RV Centers to walk through the many floor plans we have available. Choose from pushers, Class A RVs, Class C RVs, Class B RVs, fifth wheels, travel trailers, fish houses, toy haulers and more. We also have several types of pre-owned models.

Since it’s hot tea month and might be chilly where you’re camping, some new tea recipes are a great way to keep warm or just to celebrate the month. Keep these ingredients in your RV and even in your house to make these special teas when you are in the mood for something a little different.

Spiced Tea Mix

Ingredients:

1 3-ounce package lemon-flavored iced tea mix

2 1.8-ounce packages orange-flavored drink mix

1 1/3 tbs. Ground cinnamon

2 tsp. Ground cloves

Instructions:

Combine the tea mix, the orange drink mix and the spices. Store all in an airtight container. When you’re ready to make the tea, stir 1 ½ teaspoons of the mixture into 1 cup of hot water.

Citrus Honey Green Tea

Ingredients:

1 2-inch piece of lemon zest, cut in thin slivers

2 tsp. Boiling water

2 tsp. Green tea powder

¾ cup hot water

½ cup grapefruit juice, preferably freshly squeezed

3 tbs. Lemon juice, preferably freshly squeezed

1 tsp. Honey

Instructions:

Put the lemon zest into a mug. Cover it with the 2 teaspoons boiling water and let it steep for 3 minutes. Stir the green tea powder and the hot water into the mug. Add the juices and honey. Stir well and serve.

Hot Cranberry Tea

Ingredients:

3 ½ quarts water

1 12-ounce package cranberries

2 cups white sugar

2 oranges, juiced

2 lemons, juiced

12 whole cloves

2 cinnamon sticks

Instructions:

Combine the water and cranberries in a large pot. Bring the cranberries to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer them for about 30 minutes. Add the sugar, juices and spices. Cover the mixture and let it steep for 1 hour. Serve.

Visit Capital R.V. Centers, Inc.

If you’re in the market for your first RV or are considering upgrading your current RV, stop by our showroom at Capital R.V. Centers, Inc. to walk through the many floor plans we have available. Choose from pushers, Class A RVs, Class C RVs, Class B RVs, fifth wheels, travel trailers, fish houses, toy haulers and more. We also have several types of pre-owned models.

If you’re in North Dakota this winter, or plan to be, y0u should know that there’s no shortage on the fun to be had. While tourists can always enjoy the dining, shopping, and other interior attractions that North Dakota has to offer, winter is the only time of year where you can engage in some winter sports and activities outside. Take advantage of the snow and cold when you visit by trying one (or all) of the following.

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

The parks, rivers, and Badlands of North Dakota make for some spectacular trails that are great for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

Ice Fishing

Just set your RV up on the shore and tread out onto the ice for some of the best ice fishing in the country. North Dakota’s lakes and rivers are full of yellow perch, northern pike, and walleye. Try Devils Lake, Icelandic State Park, Lake Metigoshe State Park, or Lakes Sakakawea and Audubon.

Snowmobiling

With more than 2,800 miles of groomed snowmobile trails plus several hundred more less developed trails, North Dakota has no shortage of places to explore with your snowmobile. Travel through the forests of Turtle Mountain and Pembina Gorge or the valleys of Sheyenne, Missouri, or Red River. The Badlands are also open to snowmobiles, so be sure to check them out too.

Downhill Skiing and Sledding

While North Dakota doesn’t have mountain resorts, the hills are more than large enough for some solid skiing and sledding opportunities. They’re also good for snowboarding and tubing.

Those who travel year ‘round in their RV or those who decided to spend their Christmas vacation traveling may want to decorate for the holidays, but don’t bring decorations because of space restrictions. That’s okay! Visit a local store and pick up some modest decorations. With a few tips, you can stretch a few decorative pieces a long way.

The Christmas Tree

Pick up a small Christmas tree — you can find small real trees or live trees or you can purchase a fake tree from a big box department store. If you get a live tree, it can stay inside with you while it is small. If you get a fake tree, find one that comes apart for easy storage.

You should be able to store decorations for a small tree in one medium storage container. Pick up hanging decorations from different places; each one will provide a memory when you hang it on the tree.

The Wreath

Depending on where you are located during the holidays, you may be able to find pine branches and pine cones in the woods nearby. Make your own wreath for the door of your RV by wrapping the branches around a coat hanger and tying them on with string or wire ties. Use string to attach the pinecones to the branches. You an also group several branches together at the end and tie them with a bright ribbon.

Mount temporary sticky hooks to the outside of the RV so you can hang Christmas lights. You can also decorate the canopy or a nearby tree — just be sure that you cover any cords on the ground with a throw rug or run the cord out of the way so no one trips on it.

Take It Outside

If you do not want to put a tree inside, you can always set the tree up outside. Be sure to use plastic ornaments — some of them look like glass — in case the wind blows them off the tree. If you have children, store the gifts in the passthrough storage. Just get up before the kids get up to put the gifts under the tree. If you do this and you are in a campground, it might be a good idea to keep an eye on your setup once you put the gifts under the tree. You never know who is camping near you and sometimes, things tend to grow legs.

Visit Capital RV Center

If you’re interested in starting the RV lifestyle, come see us at Capital RV Center in North Dakota. Our wide inventory of RVs and motorhomes is sure to have just the right model for your needs. If you have any questions on driving an RV, we’d be glad to help!

If it’s getting too cold for you up north this winter and you’ve had enough, it’s time to set your sights on a snowbird destination to ride out the colder months in comfort. But setting your sights on the southern states every winter doesn’t mean you always have to travel to the same destinations. These top three snowbird destinations are ones you may want to consider instead of your go-to spot this year.

Scottsdale, Arizona

Many snowbirds already know Arizona is an ideal place to keep warm and watch the winter pass with sunny skies. It’s also a great place for travelers who like to stay healthy and active year-round. Scottsdale is a hotspot for golfers, cyclers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. The area’s slightly older population may also appeal to more mellow snowbird travelers.

Austin, Texas

Being a snowbird doesn’t mean you have to travel to a slow-paced destination for retirees. Austin is a place where culture and the outdoors collide. Snowbirds can kayak, mountain bike or hike in the day and turn to the city for world-renowned eateries and live music at night. Austin is a city that will make the cooler months of the year fly by with excitement.

Jekyll Island, Georgia

Many snowbirds assume Florida is the place to be on the East Coast in winter, but Georgia offers mellower crowds, ideal weather and picturesque coastal scenery. Head to Jekyll Island this year for peaceful beaches, picturesque marshland, adorable towns, fresh seafood and southern hospitality that will make you never want to leave. This charming Georgian island is the laid-back alternative to the traffic jams and tourists crowds of Florida’s top snowbird spots.

S’mores are a camping favorite since they’re traditionally cooked over an open fire. Winter is campfire season, so bring a little bit of cozy to your cold evening with a yummy s’more! Reach for those marshmallows, Hershey’s chocolate, and graham crackers and check out these unique s’mores recipes that will blow the traditional version out of the water.

Grilled Banana S’mores

What you’ll need:

2 yellow bananas

2 tablespoons chocolate chips

20 miniature marshmallows

2 tablespoons Golden Grahams

Cooking Instructions:

Leave the banana in its peel and cut a 1-inch strip down the middle of the banana (lengthwise).

Now cut the banana into 1-inch slices inside the peel.

Evenly stuff the marshmallows, Golden Grahams and chocolate chips into the banana. Stuff the ingredients into the sides of the banana peel and between each of the slices.

Use tin foil to wrap the bottom of each banana, then add a few more chocolate chips and marshmallows on top.

Place the bananas on a pre-heated grill and let them cook until they’re warmed all the way through (roughly 5 minutes). If you don’t have a grill readily available, an oven can be used to broil the bananas.

Leave the bananas in the peel and enjoy with a fork.

Mason Jar S’mores

What You’ll Need:

1 box chocolate instant pudding

Marshmallow fluff

4 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs

4 Mason jars (4-ounces each)

Preparation Instructions:

Place 1 tablespoon of graham cracker crumbs in the bottom of each Mason jar.

Follow the instructions on the box to prepare the instant pudding.

Pour the pudding evenly into each Mason jar.

Top each Mason jar off with marshmallow fluff.

Broil the mason jars in the oven just until the marshmallow fluff has browned.

There’s no better place to enjoy s’mores than at the campground with your RV. Whether you’re in the market for a new or used RV, Capital RV Center can help you find the RV that’s just right for you and your needs.

When you walk onto the Capital RV Centers lot, your purchasing decision is going to be severely limited if you’re going in with the attitude that you need an RV as big as North Dakota in order to live in it in comfort. The reality is that there’s quite a bit that you can do to expand the living space inside of an RV. Here are some ideas.

Remove Unnecessary Furniture

Sometimes all that extra storage space comes in handy, other times you wish you had a little more headroom. If you have any cabinets, nightstands, shelves or other furniture that you don’t need, a little spackle and paint will cover most of the small nail holes left by removing the built in furnishings. Use the extra space however you wish, even if it’s just to have some empty foot area.

Mirrors

It’s a simple trick but it works: use mirrors to open up a living space. A couple of full length mirrors in the bedroom can really help to create the feeling of space in your RV.

Tear Down the Walls

In most RVs and trailers, you really don’t need to worry about load bearing walls. The weight is all resting on the actual frame itself, not on anything inside of the RV’s interior, so, generally speaking, if you want to tear down a wall to expand the living area into the second bedroom or turn the entire RV into a studio apartment, you can safely do just that. Opening the area up really helps to create a sense of breathing room.

Visit Capital RV Centers

Whether you want to expand a small RV, camper, or trailer, or make a big one even bigger, there are a whole lot of neat tricks like these that can help you to do just that. Whether remodeling or simply redecorating, there are a lot of great ways to take your living space in your RV and expand it. Come see us at Capital RV Centers today for more tips, or to check out our inventory to get yourself a new RV that’s downright larger than what you currently have.

Most RVs have an awning, probably yours included. They’re greatly convenient, but you might not give your awning a second thought. Don’t take your RV’s awning for granted, however. Its functionality can be compromised if it never receives attention or maintenance. Keep your awning in good order so it can protect you come sun, rain, or whatever else the weather has in store for you on your RV travels.

Prevent Water from Pooling

One of the easiest things to prevent is water from pooling on your awning. All you have to do is remember to tip your awning a bit to allow water to run off onto the ground after a rain storm. Pooling water can cause wear and tear on your awning’s fabric which could eventually lead to failure. If bad weather is on the horizon and you don’t expect to use your awning while it happens, you may as well take the time to roll it up tight to prevent possible damage. If it does get wet, make sure it dries completely before you retract it to prevent the possibility of mildew.

Protect it from Wind

Wind is perhaps more dangerous than water to your awning. Strong winds can twist and break even a new sturdy awning, so be aware if there are high winds developing during the day and take steps to prevent damage to your awning by getting it retracted before they hit.

Other Tips

If you’re not using the awning, don’t have it extended. If you leave the campsite for a hike or when you simply go to bed, go ahead and retract it. You never know if the wind will pick up while you’re gone or asleep.

Visit Capital RV Center

If you’re interested in starting the RV lifestyle, come see us at Capital RV Center in North Dakota. Our wide inventory of RVs and motorhomes is sure to have just the right model for your needs. If you have any questions on driving an RV, we’d be glad to help!

Hosting a Thanksgiving get-together can be overwhelming, especially when you’re hosting it in the compact space of an RV. However, that doesn’t mean you should skip the holiday when living life on the road.

Use these simple tips for throwing the perfect Thanksgiving celebration in the comfort of your RV this year.

1. Plan Ahead

Thanksgiving’s position after Halloween and before Christmas means the holiday seems to appear out of nowhere. Decide which dishes you’ll be making ahead of time, so you can start the process of gathering all of the supplies you’ll need.

2. Start Cooking Early

You don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving Day to start the cooking process. Prepare your sides the day before Thanksgiving, so you just have to pop them in the oven when your guests arrive.

3. Try Something New

Use traveling in your RV during the holiday as a chance to try something new. Consider deep-frying your turkey outside instead of roasting it indoors.

4. Find Decorations at the Campsite

Use sticks, leaves, pine cones and pine needles from around the campsite for festive and free table decorations.

5. Consider Buying Your Desserts

Shop at a local bakery for delectable Thanksgiving desserts that your friends will love just as much as the homemade versions.

6. Create Fun Placecards

Placecards are a fun part of every festivity, but you can make them even more enjoyable by printing out funny Facebook photos of your friends instead.

7. Label Your Dishes

Make your party welcoming for your friends with dietary restrictions by labeling your dishes with their name and what’s inside.

8. Don’t Forget the Kids’ Table

Creating a fun kids’ table will ensure your little guests stay occupied, so the adults can have more fun. Cover the kids’ table with craft paper and give them plenty of crayons to decorate it as they please.

Whether a time-honored tradition in your family or just something to pass the time on a rainy day, family game nights are great opportunities to come together and bond over a bit of friendly competition.

Board Games

Board games are the quintessential family night game. From classics to new additions, there’s a board game bound to entertain you and your family. Try old standbys, like Monopoly, Life, Sorry, or Clue.

Dominoes

A set of dominoes is a versatile option that doesn’t take up a lot of space in your RV. Try games like Chicken Foot or Mexican Train, both of which involve strategy and planning.

Cards

Perhaps even more versatile than dominoes, a few decks of cards can provide endless entertainment (and they take up even less space than dominoes!). A friendly game of poker with nothing on the line but bragging rights is fun, as is Spite and Malice.

Visit Capital RV Center

Drop by Capital RV Center if you’re thinking about getting into the RV lifestyle with your own motorhome. The RV lifestyle, like family game nights, helps to bring a family together. Capital RV Center offers RV sales, service, parts, and accessories in North Dakota.